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Restructuring debt, and debt consolidation provides the opportunity for those with over-extended personal credit, an easy solution. Review the information on this page and it may surprise you to find just how common the need for debt consolidation services and credit counseling has become.
A secured loan is not always the answer. Unsecured debt consolidation loans are quite often very difficult to acquire.
Debt In Figures
The average American household has 13 payment cards, including credit cards, debt cards and store cards. There are 1.3 billion payment cards in circulation in the United States.
Americans made $1.1 Trillion worth of credit card purchases in 1999.
Americans carry, on average, $5,800 in credit card debt from month to month. If one were to make only the minimum payment on that debt every month, it would take 30 years to pay off - and include an additional $15,000 in interest.
According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, 302,829 people file for bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2000.
On average the typical credit card purchase is 112% higher than if using cash.
Over 40% of US families spend more than they earn. (Federal Reserve).
96% of all Americans will retire financially dependent on the government, family, or charity. (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services)
Almost one out of every 100 households in the United States will file for bankruptcy.
A 1992 Federal Reserve study showed that 43% of U.S. families spent more than they earned.
According to the National Association of Realtors the average homeowner stays in their home for 7.1 years (1993 statistic). With an 8% mortgage, they will sell their home still owing over 90% on their mortgage. If they were to continue this trend they would NEVER pay off a mortgage in their lifetime!
Only 2% of homes in America are paid for!
On average, Americans can expect to receive just 37% of the annual retirement income they will need to live comfortably.
As of 1995 92% of U.S. family disposable income is spent on paying debts, up from 65% in 1975.
For the year ending June 30, 1996, personal bankruptcies totaled more than ONE MILLION for the first time ever in a twelve month period. That is almost one bankruptcy for every 100 U.S. households.
On average, you will spend 112% more on a credit card purchase than when using cash.
The average household has four credit cards with balances around $4,800, up from two cards and $2340 in balances five years ago.
Making the minimum payment on a $4,800 balance (average balance of U.S. cardholders) at the average annual 17% interest rate, it would take you 39 years and seven months to pay off. You would pay $10,818.63 in interest alone, and a total of $15,619 for the privilege of charging the $4,800!
An $8,000 debt at a rate of 18% interest will take you over 25 years to repay and cost you over $24,000 in the total.
United States Personal Credit Information.